Plumbing fixture carrier



Sept. 13, 1966 G. J. FLEGEL ETAL 3,271,794

PLUMBING FIXTURE CARRIER Filed Jan. 13, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet l Fllll INVENTORS GEORGEJ. FLEGEF ROGER L./"\IELBECK RICH D D. DIRKS BY: QM

ATTY.

p 13, 1966 G. J. FLEGEL ET AL 3,271,794

PLUMBING FIXTURE CARRIER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 13, 1964 HEB INVENTORS GEORGE J FLEGEL ROGER L. MIELBECK RICHARD D. DIRKS Sept. 13, 1966 G. J. FLEGEL ET AL 3,271,794

PLUMBING FIXTURE CARRIER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 15 1964 fum.

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IL EL 6 E IL CI J IL l mm MG EU E El ROGER L/HELBECK RICHARD D. DIRKS United States Patent 3,271,794 PLUMBING FIXTURE CARRIER George J. Flegel, Michigan City, Roger L. Mielbeck, La

Porte, and Richard D. Dirks, Michigan City, Ind., assignors to Josam Manufacturing Co., Michigan City, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 337,337 13 Claims. (Cl. 4-252) The present invention relates generally to the art of supporting plumbing fixtures, and more particularly to carriers for wall-hung fixtures, such as toilet bowls and urinals which are connected to drainage lines, and to modifications of wall internal structure cooperating therewith.

Although the present invention is hereinafter described in a specific embodiment for support of a wall-hung closet bowl, it is to be understood that it is adaptable as to certain broader aspects to support of other wallhung fixtures such as urinals and the like.

Hitherto, both in the patented art and in the actual practices of the plumbing trades, there has been known a great variety of structures for supporting plumbing fixtures such as toilet bowls and urinals at building walls with the fixture as such quite free of the underlying finished floor. For this purpose have been long used the so-called fixture carriers having the major part located within the wall, though in some instances having portions projecting therefrom beneath the room floor level, and also including threaded studs projecting beyond the wall finish line on which the plumbing fitting was secured.

To simplify overall building construction operations and to obtain also a neat uncluttered appearance in the fixture installation, a type of carrier has come into use in recent years which is located entirely within the wall, except of course for projecting fixture supporting stud, with no under-the-floor projections or elements. The prior US. Patent 3,020,565, showing a particular carrier and fitting arrangement especially adapted for residential construction represents development in this art, and of this the instant invention may be considered to be an improvement.

Like the aforementioned patent, the invention hereinafter described includes in the carrier arrangement a pair of similar upright elements having primary vertical support upon a sole plate or corresponding horizontal surface of a building structure within the wall and laterally connected by bolting or the like to an adjacent wall stud or other vertical surface or element within the wall; preferably in combination therewith, means for securing a soil line fitting at the inlet branch region thereof to which the plumbing fixture discharge is connected.

In the aforementioned patent the upright members of the carrier arrangement have foot portions bolted or otherwise secured to an underlying sole plate element or to concrete structure of the building, a mode of attachment at that point which is not too readily adapted for quick installation in certain modern constructions where a solid sole plate is not used, or where for other reasons bolting to an underlying portion of the building is either undesirable per se or because of the labor involved.

As hereinafter described, the uprights of the present invention for most installations require each but one bolt near the upper region for securement in the wall structure as to a wall stud; and have foot formations which both provide support at well spaced underlying points and also lateral engagement in wall elements at horizontally well spaced points.

The means for securing the soil line fitting relative to the carrier is provided either by integral apertured ears projecting from the fitting and bolted to the uprights, or

3,271,794 Patented Sept 13, 1966 by a yoke casting similarly attached and having an annular opening in which tre fitting inlet branch is secured. In the contemplated use this structure of the uprights effectively and stably positions the uprights and the fixture supported thereon. Moreover, the form of the uprights is such that need of left and right hand types is obviated. Only one type of upright casting is used for the pair. The same type of upright and also of fitting securing means is used whether there is to be a single bowl installation, or a double or so-called back-to-back installation with bowls on opposite sides of the wall connected to one soil line through a common soil-line fitting, two yokes being preferably used in the latter case.

The general object of the present invention is then to provide an improved carrier for a so-called wall-hung type of plumbing fixture. A further object is the provision of a Wall-hung fixture carrier requiring, for its contemplated use in an ordinary installation, a minimum of bolted or like connections to environmental building structure. A still further object is the provision of a wall-hung fixture carrier combination including two up right elements and means for securing a soil line fitting thereto, wherein but one type of upright is required serving for right and left hand positions, and adapted for use in single and double wall-hung installations. A still further object is the provision of a combination of fixture carrier with a local modification of building wall construction adapted for a rapid and easy installation. Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description and the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view generally from the front and slightly to one side, showing in solid lines the general combination of this invention, as for a back-to-back toilet bowl installation; the surrounding environmental building structure being shown in dashed outlines;

FIG. 2 is a view partially in elevation and partially in section taken as indicated by the line 22 in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a front elevation corresponding to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 for a single bowl installation;

FIG. 5 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a detail view showing a modification.

In the drawings, environmental portions of a frame building or residence construction, in which a carrier in accordance with the present invention is to be used for a toilet bowl installation, are represented by the vertical frame elements or wall studs A having lower ends seated in corresponding notches at C in the tops of the spaced sole strips B, the bottom end of each stud also being notched as at D for the purposes hereinafter stated. The desired finished wall surface S is the outer vertical surface of the lathe and plaster or wall board applied to the studs in the building wall. Here a vertical drainage line or soil stack H includes a fitting F to which a plumbing fixture, here the toilet bowl T is connected conventionally through an extension or coup-ling element 20 as hereinafter described.

The carrier arrangement includes the pair of identical uprights 11, -11 to which is secured for the specific embodiment here shown a yoke member 12 affording means for securement of a standard cast double inlet branch drainage fitting F of the type used for copper drainage line with sweated or soldered joints.

For a double installation as shown in FIG. 1 generally a single yoke suffices, but two such yoke members 12 can be used on opposite sides of the uprights as clearly shown in FIG. 2.

Each upright -11 is shown as symmetrical about a vertical center plane parallel to the wall surface; and is comprised, as an integral member, e.g. a casting, of a vertical flange portion 11a with an outer flat face disposed against the adjacent wall stud A, which flange, toward the base,

a widens out in a generally triangular form triangularly base-notched at 11 to terminate in well spaced foot portions 11b, 11b; and a generally vertical web portion 11d perpendicular to the flange 11a at its center line, running from the apex of the notch 11 and terminating short of an anchor bolt aperture through the upper end of the lflange. The flange portion 11a is inwardly integrally flanged at 11c along the notch 11) and also at the bottom to provide a broader bearing at the foot portions 11b; While spaced upwardly firom its lower end and inwardly from front and back the upright has a pair of spaced integral outwardly projecting lugs 1 1m (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 5).

To secure each upright in position, at its apertured upper end an anchor bolt :14 is passed therethrough and through an aperture bored through the adjacent stud A to be held by washer and nut thereon as shown; and the opposite parallel sidewalls and top of the rectangular notch -D of the adjacent wall stud engage the respective lugs.

Each upright has a pair of vertically spaced web apertures, preferably threaded, equally distant from the outer flange face in which, for support of the toilet bowl fixture T, are secured upper and lower threaded stud bolts 16, 17 locked in adjusted projecting positions by lock nuts 18 respectively tightened against the web, or against the yoke member 12 secured on the webs of the uprights as hereinafter explained. Also there is preferably provided a pair of additional apertures 11k (see FIG. 4) through the flange at similar positions in respective foot regions.

Although an upright can be fabricated of heavy sheet metal or plate stock formed or welded to provide the extended base, stud engaging outer face and vertical portion for receiving the fixture mounting stud bolts, the structure is readily achieved in a casting.

'The fitting F is here shown in all figures as being a standard drainage fitting included in a soil stack having vertically aligned portions connected to the top and bottom of the fitting. Obviously the fitting could as well be of the elbow type with bottom laterally connected to a horizontal run of the drainage system; the carrier uprights with notches 1 11, the bottom notched D of building wall studs as well as the spaced relation of the sole strips B readily permitting this type of drain line installation.

The yoke casting 12 is apertured at opposite ends for attachment on the uprights by the lower stud bolts 16 and lock nuts 18; and has an integral outwardly oifset annular portion 1212 into or through which extends the fitting inlet branch Feb. The annular portion 12b (see FIG. 3) has a pair of inward bosses 126 in its bottom half and threaded through the top a radially directed set screw 13 whereby the inlet branch is centered and secured in the yoke, and thereby the fitting is secured to the uprights 11.

A coupling element or connector 20, having an inner end of reduced diameter adapted to be received in and swea-ted to the fitting inlet branch, with some adjustment permitted by degree of insertion, and having also an expanded outer end, is connected in sealed relation to the outlet or horn of the toilet bowl T as usual through a gasket 21 compressed between the outer end of 20' and the horn formation of the bowl when the bowl is finally mounted upon the fixture mounting studs 16, 17.

Also the mounting of the fixture on the studs 16, 17 is conventional, the apertured fixture mounting or back flange being clamped .on each of the four studs between an inner nut and washer 23, 24 adjusted in position -at or slightly beyond the surface of the finished wall S, and the outer clamping soft washer and decorative nut 25, 26.

Whether a single or double installation, the uprights 11 and yokes 12 used are essentially identical, the only modification for a single bowl installation (see FIGS. 4 and 5) being the use of a singly branched fitting F, a single yoke 12, and shorter studs 16, 17 projecting from the wall only at one side.

The spacing of the carrier uprights 11 is of course selected so that the horizontal spacing of the fixture mounting studs 16 and 17 will be that required for the plumbing fixture to be mounted thereon, now generally a standard spacing because of standardized vertical and horizontal locations of the fixture flange apertures relative to each other and to the outlet in bowls being produced today. Accordingly, in the course of the building construction, the wall studs -A at the environment of the toilet bowl are accordingly spaced to achieve this required relation so that mere juxtapsition of the uprights brings them into the required position without shimming or spacing inserts between stud and upright.

Also it is to be noted that these uprights and a yoke may also be used where, for example, cast iron or other drainage fittings are used, perhaps with a threaded connector between the fitting and the toilet bowl; and also the uprights, with the yoke omitted where it should happen that there is available a soil stack or line fitting with integral apertured ears or lugs which may be secured to the uprights in the manner of the end portions 12a of the yoke.

Although the combination of features, in the region of the carrier, of the wall elements with the upright structure shown is adapted to a particularly low cost and quick installation, the upright construction also is useful, where for example lug receiving apertures of suitable size and spacing are simply bored into or through the studs A to receive and closely embrace each of the foot lugs 11m; and also where as in masonry construction the anchor bolts and lugs are engaged in or grouted into the masonry.

For the specifically contemplated type of installation above described the single bolt stud attachment of each upright conjoined with the close embracing of the lugs by the stud notches, the wide spaced bearing points of the foot portions 11b, and as well the spacing action of the yoke provide a high degree of stability and strength, with no objectionable opportunity for fore and aft or even lateral movement of the uprights, nor hence for any motion of the fixture thereby supported. However, additional anchor bolts similar to those used at the top may be used through the apertures 11k to secure the studding where some adventitious condition so indicates, as for example in a case of sloppy stud n-otching at D allowing too much play between the lugs 11m and the stud.

Furthermore as shown in FIG. 6 by another modification the lugs 11m may be pointed so that with an unnotched stud arrangement the upright may be placed in position on the sole plate and the pointed lugs driven into the adjacent stud by hammer blows on the inside face of the flange near the foot region; the bolts 14 being thereafter put into place.

We claim:

1. In a carrier structure for support of a plumbing fix ture of the wall-hung type and having a discharge connection to a drainage line within a building wall,

a pair of spaced carrier upright members entirely within the wall structure secured to respective spaced vertical parallel surfaces within and supported on horizontally spaced portions within the wall structure;

each upright comprising as an integral structure a vertically extended portion adapted to be secured against a corresponding said vertical surface of the wall structure and having a lower portion widening out to provide at the bottom a widened base for support on horizontal structure within the wall structure, said extended portion having a bolt hole through an upper part thereof for an anchor bolt securing the same to a respective said vertical surface and also having a pair of horizontally spaced lugs projecting from said lower portion outwardly into the wall structure at said respective vertical surface, a second vertically extending portion projecting perpendicularly from the first and having therethrough a vertically spaced pair of apertures;

and fixture mounting stud bolts received in and secured to the uprights at respective said apertures.

2. In the carrier structure as described in claim 1, a yoke element for securing a drainage line fitting with an inlet branch in proper position for connection thereto of a plumbing fixture supported by the carrier structure,

said yoke member having opposite ends secured to respective uprights and an annular central portion offset to accommodate, and adapted to receive therein the inlet branch of, a said drainage fitting,

and means on the annular portion for securing an inlet branch therein.

3. A carrier construction as described in claim 2, adapted for support of like plumbing fixtures on opposite sides of a building wall in back-to-back relation and connected to a common drainage line fitting at respective opposed inlet branches on said fitting,

and having each said fixture mounting stud bolt extending from a respective upright to project beyond the opposite sides of the wall, and having two said yoke members for securing respective inlet branches of the fitting.

4. Carrier upright members as described in claim 1, wherein said lugs are pointed to adapt them for driving into a portion of the wall structure providing a said vertical surface.

5. In a carrier structure as described in claim 1, said uprights being identical and individually symmetrical about a vertical center plane of said second vertically extending portion.

6. A wall structure in combination with the carrier upright members described in claim 1, said wall structure comprising:

spaced parallel sole plate strips providing said horizontal structure supporting the extended base of each upright;

a pair of spaced parallel stud members each secured to and supported by both said sole plate strips,

and providing parallel surfaces facing each other as respective vertical surfaces to which the upright members are secured by said anchor bolts and said lugs received therein;

the bottom of a stud and the base of each upright member being upwardly notched whereby a horizontal run of drainage line may be accommodated.

7. In a carrier structure for support ofa plumbing fixture of the wall-hung type and having a drainage connection to a drainage line within the building wall,

a pair of identical spaced carrier upright members entirely within the wall secured to respective spaced vertical parallel internal surfaces of, and supported on horizontally spaced internal regions of, the wall;

each upright comprising as an integral structure,

a vertically extended flange adapted to be secured against a corresponding said vertical surface of the wall structure,

the lower portion of said flange widening toward the bottom to provide an extended base for stable support on underlying horizontal structure within the Wall, the upper portion of the flange being apertured for an anchor bolt securing the same to said respective vertical surface,

said flange also having a pair of horizontally spaced lugs projecting outwardly from said lower portion into the wall structure at said respective vertical surface,

6 and an integral vertical web projecting perpendicularly from the flange extending vertically from a point spaced above the base and having a vertically spaced pair of apertures; each upright member being symmetrical about a vertical center plane of said web perpendicular to said flange; and fixture mounting stud bolts received in and secured to the uprights at respective said apertures.

8. In the carrier construction as described in claim 7, each upright member having the bottom of its said flange upwardly recessed thereby to form spaced foot portions at respective ends of said base.

9. In the carrier structure as described in claim 7,

a yoke element for securing a drainage linefitting with an inlet branch in proper position for connection thereto of a plumbing fixture supported by the carrier structure,

said yoke element having opposite ends secured to the webs of respective uprights and an annular central portion oflset outwardly from said webs to accommodate, and adapted to receive therein the inlet branch of, a said drainage fitting,

and means on the annular portion for securing an inlet branch therein.

10. In the carrier construction of claim 9, said yoke element having ends apertured for mounting on respective lower said stud bolts, and means including the said lower stud bolts securing the yoke to the webs.

11. A carrier construction as described in claim 10, adapted for support of like plumbing fixtures on opposite sides of a building wall in back-to-back relation and connected to a common drainage line fitting at respective opposed inlet branches on said fitting, and having each said fixture mounting stud bolt extending from a respective upright to project beyond the finished wall lines of opposite wall sides.

12. Carrier upright members as described in claim 7, wherein said lugs are pointed to adapt them for driving into a portion of the wall structure providing a respective said vertical surface.

13. A wall structure in combination with the carrier upright members described in claim 7, said wall structure comprising:

spaced parallel sole plate strips providing said horizontal structure supporting the extended base of each upright;

a pair of spaced parallel stud members each having its bottom end secured to and supported by both said sole plate strips and also notched,

and providing parallel surfaces facing each other as respective vertical surfaces to which the upright members are secured by said anchor bolts with said lugs received in, and embraced by opposite side surfaces of, a respective stud end notch.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,014,223 12/1961 Pope 4 252 3,020,565 2/1962 Manas et a1. 4252 3,054,119 9/1962 Manas et al. 4252 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner. H. GROSS, Examiner. 

1. IN A CARRIER STRUCTURE FOR SUPPORT OF A PLUMBING FIXTURE OF THE WALL-HUNG TYPE AND HAVING A DISCHARGE CONNECTION TO A DRAINAGE LINE WITHIN A BUILDING WALL, A PAIR OF SPACED CARRIER UPRIGHT MEMBERS ENTIRELY WITHIN THE WALL STRUCTURE SECURED TO RESPECTIVE SPACED VERTICAL PARALLEL SURFACES WITHIN AND SUPPORTED ON HORIZONTALLY SPACED PORTIONS WITHIN THE WALL STRUCTURE; EACH UPRIGHT COMPRISING AS AN INTEGRAL STRUCTURE A VERTICALLY EXTENDED PORTION ADAPTED TO BE SECURED AGAINST A CORRESPONDING SAID VERTICAL SURFACE OF THE WALL STRUCTURE AND HAVING A LOWER PORTION WIDENING OUT TO PROVIDE AT THE BOTTOM A WIDENED BASE FOR SUPPORT ON HORIZONTAL STRUCTURE WITHIN THE WALL STRUCTURE, SAID EXTENDED PORTION HAVING A BOLT HOLE THROUGH AN UPPER PART THEREOF FOR AN ANCHOR BOLT SECURING THE SAME TO A RESPECTIVE SAID VERTICAL SURFACE AND ALSO HAVING A PAIR OF HORIZONTALLY SPACED LUGS PROJECTING FROM SAID LOWER PORTION OUTWARDLY INTO THE WALL STRUCTURE AT SAID RESPECTIVE VERTICAL SURFACE, A SECOND VERTICALLY EXTENDING PORTION PROJECTING PERPENDICULARLY FROM THE FIRST AND HAVING THERETHROUGH A VERTICALLY SPACED PAIR OF APERTURES; AND FIXTURE MOUNTING STUD BOLTS RECEIVED IN AND SECURED TO THE UPRIGHTS AT RESPECTIVE SAID APERTURES. 